Navigating Life with 4 Poodles, 2 College Kids, & an Obsession for Quilting

Quilting Ambitions

This is where I will list my goals and update my accomplishments throughout the year- more for my own records and examination than for others but I hope it will be interesting.

For 2018: This is my not quite complete list of quilting projects. I have highlighted the ones that I want to focus on this year. I got almost NO quilting done in 2017 so if I manage to get these 12 items taken care of, I will be doing really well!

Alexander’s lap quilt- currently working on binding

3 graduation quilts that need to be finished by May- Alex, Kayla, Kiana

Snapshots quilt along- need to finish blocks- only about half way through

Row by row hawaiian fabrics- only about a third of the rows done

bark cloth- need to bind

hawaiian fabrics- in piecing stage

Sandia Sunrise- my own design- partially pieced

polar bear- fabrics purchased

cat and dog scrap quilt- fabrics purchased

Harry Potter book shelf- partially pieced

granny square scrap quilt- a few blocks done

Orange Jelly roll race

Victoria falls- a scrap quilt in my own design.

Brown and green 4 patch scrap quilt

TV cabinet runner

Wedding quilt for my brother must be done by September- barely started

2017

Health

So, last year, I managed to lose about 30 pounds and run a half marathon. However, I gained back all the weight and haven’t been really running in forever! My excuses were many- its too hot to run, too cold to run, I’m too busy, I’m too lazy…

For 2017, I want to get back with my running- no half marathon goal or anything so adventurous but more of a lifestyle change that can be continued forever and still accommodate my life and other interests.

run or elliptical or hiking at least 3 days per week

100 days of miles challenge in 2017

eat better- more fruit, more veggies, less sugar, less bread, less coffee creamer

Quilting

Here I am going to include my list of works in progress, patterns or fabric I own that haven’t even been started, and quilts that absolutely need to be finished this year. It is going to be a shocking list to some of you, others will be able to relate…

finish row by row animal quilt and publish patterns on blog-done but still a flimsy

finish 2 England/Europe quilts- one for me, one for my sister

new paris blocks purchased for scrap quilt…

2 raggedy ann & andy quilt for me and mom

safe haven quilt- started with a friend and now long forgotten

sherbet colored layer cake blocks into a quilt

french quarter green and brown- finish piecing

Oliver’s picnic quilt

quilt & bind sewing machine quilt

Antique reproduction from Williamsburg museum

Snapshots quilt along- need to finish blocks- only about half way through

Row by row hawaiian fabrics- only about a third of the rows done

bark cloth- need to quilt

hawaiian fabrics collected- need to choose a pattern

Sandia Sunrise- my own design- partially pieced

polar bear- fabrics purchased

cat and dog scrap quilt- fabrics purchased

Harry Potter book shelf- partially pieced

participate in block lotto as much as possible- starting with January blocks ASAP- 5 January blocks made on December 29th!

Is anyone overwhelmed yet? I certainly am!!!!

37. granny square scrap quilt- a few blocks done

38. Orange Jelly roll race

39. Ivory 9 patch- need to finish piecing

40. I am sure there are more but that’s all I can remember without cleaning the sewing room which is almost too messy for me to get into to start working…oh, yes, Victoria falls- a scrap quilt in my own design.

41. Brown and green 4 patch scrap quilt- made some progress in January

42. Tv cabinet runner

43. modern quilt from a workshop

Ouch…I better get started. Se why I have no time to run!!!! Forget groceries, I will be sewing all day.

Crochet

To add to the to-do list, my current passion is learning to crochet. I started a lap afghan last night. Looks like it will be smaller than I really wanted so I will finish it and then still want another one probably. However, it is a good size for learning how to ripple. I am trying to not have too many crochet projects going. I just have this and an almost finished dog sweater right now. But, I have yarn for so much more…

Work

To top that all off, I absolutely MUST complete a dossier for work in order to earn a huge raise. My personal deadline is March, though it really isn’t “DUE” until October. Wish I didn’t know that…

Family

Child number one is starting her second semester of college and is hoping to get an apartment next year rather than a dorm…

Child number two will be a senior next year and needs to start researching colleges…

My husband and I need more time together! We would like to do more hiking, more backpacking, more photography outings- his hobby, not mine.

Would be great if I could become a better housekeeper in there and still find some time to enjoy reading and writing some fiction. Has anyone figured out this cloning stuff yet? I could use a few more of me…I’m sure we all could.

So, 2017, already as crammed full as all other years. I will be celebrating accomplishments, not chasing after goals.